Pennsylvania Code
Title 4 - ADMINISTRATION
Part V - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Chapter 120b - PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY TELEPHONE PROGRAM
Section 120b.103 - Development of county plan

Universal Citation: 4 PA Code ยง 120b.103

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

Upon the agreement of the governing authority of a county to establish a 911 system, a plan shall be drafted which meets, at least, the minimum technical standards promulgated by the Agency. The formation of multi-jurisdictional or regional 911 systems is authorized.

(1) In counties which currently have a 911 system in operation, if a contribution rate is to be established, a 911 coordinator shall be appointed and a plan shall be developed that meets the minimum technical standards promulgated by the Agency.

(2) In counties which currently do not have an operational system, if a system is to be developed and a contribution rate is to be established, a 911 coordinator shall be appointed and a county plan shall be developed that meets the minimum technical standards as promulgated by the Agency.

(3) Compilation and preparation of the county plan shall be the responsibility of the designated county 911 coordinator.

(4) Each county 911 plan shall be designed to meet the individual circumstances of each county and the public agencies participating in the 911 system. The plan shall coordinate with surrounding counties to deal with circumstances unique to the fringe areas of the county to assure that the appropriate emergency response is provided. If a telephone exchange (a group of telephone subscribers served from the same central office) extends over two or more counties, the plan shall provide for disposition of the calls from that exchange. Use of the selective routing feature by one or more of the counties is adequate to designate the county to receive the calls from the various telephone subscribers. In the absence of the selective routing feature, 911 calls from that exchange shall be directed to the county in which the central office is located.

(5) Upon completion of the county plan, and prior to its submission to the Agency, the county shall hold a public meeting to obtain the comments of its residents. Notice of the meeting shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. The meeting shall commence between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and shall be held in a central location in the county. As a minimum, the notice shall indicate that one purpose of the meeting is to fix the proposed contribution rate. The precise amount of the proposed contribution shall be included in the notice.

(6) Following the meeting, if a 911 system is to be established, the county shall make changes to the plan as deemed appropriate and take official action by resolution to approve the county plan, including the proposed contribution rate and to authorize its filing with the Agency. The proposed contribution rate for nonrecurring and recurring costs cannot be considered to be established until public comment regarding it has been received.

(7) At a minimum, each county 911 plan shall contain the following information:

(i) A description of the current or proposed geographic area to be served by the system and a list of local governments, participating telephone companies and their respective exchange areas that are in the 911 system.

(ii) A map that corresponds to the written description of the service area.

(iii) A description of the operational plan for the system, including the technical components as required by the Agency and as outlined in §120a.104 (relating to technical standards for plans) in sufficient detail to describe the operational aspects of the system, including staffing, supervision, training, interrelationship with public agencies, daily operations, emergency operations and equipment requirements.

(iv) The proposed contribution rate and supporting documentation for the rate to be established for subscribers within the 911 service area as provided for in § 120b.105 (relating to contribution rate).

(v) The supplementary plan information as provided for in the supplementary plan information forms provided by the Agency.

(vi) A comprehensive plan and time schedule for the implementation, upgrading or expansion of 911 services.

(vii) Copies of contracts, agreements or receipts for equipment, services or other recurring or nonrecurring costs eligible for reimbursement as determined by the Council, Commission or Agency.

(viii) Proof of publication of the public meeting required by the act, including the date, time and location of the hearing.

(ix) A stenographic record of comments made at the public meeting.

(x) A resolution, properly attested, approving the plan including the proposed contribution rate and authorizing the filing of the plan with the Agency.

(xi) The county plan shall bear the signature of the chairperson or president of the appropriate governing body and the 911 coordinator, and shall bear the official seal of the county.

(xii) A county that receives a notice of intent from a city of the second class, second class A or third class to proceed with the development of a 911 plan shall respond as provided in § 120b.107(d) (relating to authority of cities). Evidence of this notice and response, in the form of copies of correspondence, shall be filed with the plan.

(8) Updating and expanding the present system shall require an amended plan to be filed with the Agency. A public meeting is not required for the amended plan unless the county proposes to change the contribution rate established in the existing county plan. An amended plan shall contain the following information:

(i) Include specific information concerning the changes to the original plan made by the amended plan.

(ii) Specifically indicate the actions taken and modifications made to the original plan as a result of comments made by the Agency, the Commission and the Council as a part of the approval of the plan.

(iii) Provide a 911 fund balance summary statement indicating, by year, revenues accrued and expenditures totals for personnel, training, equipment and other eligible cost categories together with the current fund balance.

(9) Request for contribution rate changes shall be submitted to the Agency for approval by the Commission. A rate change that is part of an amendment to update or expand a system or do both shall satisfy the requirements for an amended plan. Contribution rate changes are not permitted more often than every 3 years and may not take effect unless approved by the Commission.

(10) A request solely to change a contribution rate shall comply with:

(i) Paragraphs (5) and (6) with respect to holding of a public meeting and the actions to be taken as a result thereof.

(ii) Paragraph (7)(vii)-(xi).

(iii) Section 120b.105 (relating to contribution rate).

(11) A county plan shall be considered a public record under the act of June 21, 1957 ( P. L. 390, No. 212), known as the Right-to-Know Law (65 P. S. § § 66.1-66.4).

The provisions of this §120b.103 amended under the Emergency Management Service Code, 35 Pa.C.S. § 7313.

This section cited in 4 Pa. Code § 120b.107 (relating to authority of cities); and 4 Pa. Code § 120b.108 (relating to review and approval of plans).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.